Storage and transport container with telescopic side walls

ABSTRACT

A plastic storage and transport container ( 1 ) has a floor and, preferably perpendicular to that, a peripheral side wall. The side wall is formed from several side wall elements ( 2, 3, 4 ), which are telescopical for the purpose of changing a container volume, preferably in a direction perpendicular to this floor.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The application concerns a plastic storage and transport container,especially for accommodating piece goods and bulk goods. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to such a container which hastelescoping side walls to change the height of the container.

BACKGROUND ART

Storage or transport containers are preferably used for storing ortransporting all kinds of piece goods and bulk goods. Such storage andtransport containers generally consist of a container floor and a sidewall. By piece goods is understood all kinds of goods, includingpackaged and unpackaged food, and by bulk materials is understoodpourable, loose goods such as screws, shavings, sand etc. Further, suchstorage and transport containers are also designed to be stackable. Ofspecial importance in the case of such plastic storage and transportcontainers is their storage and return when empty. To save transportvolume, so-called folding containers are well-known, which are folded upfor the purpose of storage or return. However, due to the foldingmechanism, such folding containers usually have insufficient stabilityor rigidity. Under high loads, for example when stacked together,material fracture can occur, especially in the area of the foldingjoints. Conventional plastic folding boxes are therefore not normallyused for storing and transporting heavy goods.

All these storage and transport containers have the disadvantage,however, that the storage or transport volume provided cannot be varied.The useful container volume is given by the size of the container floorand the height of the side wall. Especially when a container can only bepartly filled, for example, due to the maximum possible transportweight, this leads to increased transport volume, which would notnecessarily be caused by the volume of the contents accommodated, but isdue to the size of the container.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to make available a plastic storage andtransport container, which offers a variable container volume, whereinthis container volume is designed such that it is readily variable. Thiscontainer shall moreover possess adequate stability.

In accordance with the invention, the side wall of the container isprovided with a telescope mechanism, which comprises several telescopicside wall elements. Such a telescopic arrangement of individual sidewall elements facilitates appropriate adjustment or change of containervolume to the quantity or size (more precisely, the volume) of theaccommodated goods, combined with high stability of the container. Thecontainer volume is essentially adjusted by changing the height of theside wall.

Such a telescope mechanism can moreover be operated easily and simplyand the function of the telescope mechanism is more or less intuitive tothe user. Thus, the inventive container can also be transformed veryeasily into the collapsed position of the side wall elements, in whichits volume is minimal, for return or storage when empty.

A description of the advantages of the dependent claims follows fromhere on: In a preferred embodiment, the side wall elements areframe-like and formed as one piece. This confers sufficiently highstrength on each side wall element, since the enclosed frame-likestructure dissipates all kinds of load forces very well. These side wallelements are mounted inside each other and capable of sliding towardeach other and form the side wall of the container in the manner oftelescope elements. Provision is made for each side wall element to havean enclosed peripheral side wall of defined height. This ensures goodguidance of the telescope mechanism and concomitantly user-friendlysmoothness in operation.

In a further preferred embodiment, the container of the invention hasprecisely three side wall elements: lower, central and upper. Thesethree side wall elements yield a relatively compact container structure(favorable ratio of external dimensions to internal space), whereby, atthe same time, the container volume can be flexibly adjusted over a widerange by means of the three side wall elements. The inventive containercan also be made available with several central side wall elements suchthat altogether more than three side wall elements are comprised.

In a similarly preferred embodiment, the container of the invention hasprecisely two side wall elements: lower and upper. Such a containeroffers an extremely compact container structure combined with relativelylow manufacturing costs.

Expediently, the side wall elements are nested inside one another in thecollapsed position. This yields a very compact container structure inthe collapsed position. In the collapsed position, that side wallelement which forms the lowermost side wall element of the side wall inthe fully extended condition is advantageously arranged on the insideand that one which (in the extended condition) forms the uppermost sidewall element is arranged on the outside. In the fully extendedcondition, as seen from the container floor, the transport space becomesincreasingly broader and longer in the upward direction, as a result ofwhich the contents to be transported can be introduced and removedparticularly easily.

Advantageously, the lowermost side wall element is formed as one piecewith the container floor. This confers a particularly stable structure.

Advantageously, the lower areas of the lowermost side wall element andpreferably also each central side wall element are formed with anoutwardly projecting peripheral edge or several projecting edgesections, which increase(s) on one hand the stability of the side wallelement and on the other also constitute certain impact protection forthe side wall element and concomitantly for the entire side wall.Furthermore, these edge elements form a stop for the collapsed side wallelements in the collapsed position. In a particularly preferredembodiment, the edge is formed such that, when the container is fullycollapsed, a flat exterior wall is formed at least on the long sides,which is free from projections or shoulders and the like, and thus canbe used, for example, generally speaking as an advertising surface.

The side wall elements, which can telescope into each other, areprovided with guide surfaces in order that hooking and jamming of thetelescope mechanism during collapsing and extending may be prevented.The guide surfaces can be formed as recessed or protruding wallsections, with the correspondingly guided side wall element havingappropriately shaped wall sections.

Expediently, the container is rounded, especially in the corner areas ofthe side wall elements, for the purpose of optimizing force flows aswell as for lowering the risk of injury.

Especially, it is provided that the individual side wall elements arelockable in at least one defined telescope position. This may beeffected, for example, with locking elements, such as detent members,snap connections or clamping connections. The locking mechanism isadvantageously formed such that locking occurs automatically, forexample through pre-tensioned locking elements, whose locking tongues orthe like engage with corresponding detent recesses. This facilitatessimple and uncomplicated handling of the container, but is also asubstantial safety aspect, since the container volume defined by thelocked telescope position of the side wall elements cannot changeunintentionally. Such detent elements can be simply unlocked so that thecontainer volume may be adjusted.

A stable locking mechanism, especially in the extended position, alsoadvantageously makes it possible to stack the containers, even when thecontents are heavy.

For stable locking, four locking elements each are advantageouslyprovided for each telescopic side wall element (these are usually thecentral side wall elements and the upper side wall element), which areeach arranged in pairs so as to be readily accessible at the end wallsof the container (more precisely, at the end faces of the respectiveside wall element). The locking elements have a handle part, which isadvantageously formed like an eye, as a result of which the lockingelement concerned, with its associated locking tongue, can be actuatedparticularly easily against a pre-tension spring force. The handle partat an end wall is thereby advantageously arranged such that it can beactuated comfortably simultaneously and single-handedly or by engagementof the thumb and index finger of the same hand. An ergonomic design ofthe eye area, for example through enlargement of a force-transmissionsurface, enhances convenience of operation and safety in use.

In an alternative embodiment, the pairs of locking elements at the endfaces of the side wall elements concerned are connected to a commonmeans of actuation, such as a release belt or a release lever or thelike or formed as one piece with this. Advantageously, through theapplication of force on the means of actuation, both locking elementscan be operated at the same time against the pre-tension spring force,for which, e.g., only one finger is needed. Such a means of actuationcan moreover be gripped very well even under difficult conditions, afact which increases convenience of operation.

In order that damage to the locking elements may be avoided, especiallythe handle parts or the release levers or the release belts, these areadvantageously protectively arranged in a recessed wall area or in arecess of the side wall element. Essential parts of the locking elementscan moreover be arranged so as to be hidden, e.g. inside a double wall,as a result of which protection against pinching of fingers and againstcontamination is provided.

In an advantageous embodiment, the side wall elements are formed insections so as to be reinforced, e.g. by integrated cavities orreinforcing ribs or bracing ribs, especially in the corner areas, inorder that the stability and strength, especially the impact strength ofthe side wall element and thus the entire side wall, may additionally beincreased.

Furthermore, the container can be provided with a suitable cover, whichmay also be formed so as to be multipart, such that complete encasing ofcontents to be transported results advantageously. The cover can beformed as a separate element or as a hinged element.

All elements of the previously described container are formedadvantageously from a recyclable from a recyclable plastic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages arise from the following description of an embodimentusing the figures described below:

FIG. 1 shows in several sub-diagrams (1 a to 1 e), each in perspectiveview, an inventive storage and transport container in different extendedpositions.

FIG. 2 shows in two sub-diagrams (2 a and 2 b), in perspective views,the locking mechanism in a first embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows in a perspective view an inventive storage and transportcontainer in the fully extended position with an alternative lockingmechanism.

FIG. 4 shows in several sub-diagrams (4 a and 4 b), in perspectiveviews, a concrete embodiment of the alternative locking mechanism.

FIG. 1 a shows the inventive storage and transport container designated1. As is especially evident from FIGS. 1 b and 1 d, the container 1comprises a lowermost side wall element 2, which here is formedone-piece with the floor (more accurately: container floor). Thecontainer floor can be provided as required with bracing ribs toincrease the strength, said ribs extending for example on the lowersurface of this container floor, or with a honeycomb structure or suchlike. As is especially evident from FIGS. 1 c and 1 d, this container 1further comprises a central side wall element 3, and an upper side wallelement 4, i.e. has three side wall elements. Of course, it is possiblein addition, to form a container from only two, in that case from alower and an upper element, or with more than three side wall elements.

The opening of the container 1 for introducing and removing the contentsto be transported is covered with a cover, which is formed here by wayof example from two cover flaps 5 a and 5 b. As particularly readilyidentifiable in FIG. 1 e, the cover flaps 5 a and 5 b are hinged at along edge of the uppermost side wall element 4. Both the lowermost sidewall element 2 and the central side wall element 3 have in the lowerarea an outwardly projecting peripheral edge 6 or 7, which may also beformed alternatively in sections, i.e. with interruptions.

Each of these three side wall elements 2, 3 and 4 has a peripheralframe-like side wall section (with two long sides and two end faces) ofa defined height that is rounded off in the corner areas for the purposeof optimizing any force flows and for reducing the danger of injury. Asevident from FIG. 1 d especially, the corner areas of the side wallelements 2, 3 and 4 are formed with reinforcing ribs. The externalsurface of each side wall element 2, 3 and 4 of the long sides isadditionally provided with bracing ribs.

The central side wall element 3 is telescopically mounted to the lowerside wall element 2, more precisely such that the interior surfaces ofthe central side wall element 3 face the corresponding exterior surfacesof the lowermost side wall element 2, or in other words, that thecentral side wall element 3 comprises or encloses or embraces thelowermost side wall element 2, with, however, translational movementbeing possible in accordance with the arrow T1 in FIG. 1 d. In the sameway, the upper side wall element 4 is movably arranged relative to thecentral side wall element 3, in accordance with the arrow T2. Thetelescope mechanism of the upper side wall element 4 relative to thecentral side wall element 3 is thereby independent of the telescopemechanism of the central side wall element 3 relative to the lowermostside wall element 2. For better guidance and also for the purpose ofincreasing the stability of the container, the side wall elementsadditionally have guide sections, which by way of example here areformed on the ends of the long sides.

The illustration of FIG. 1 a shows the container 1 with the side wallelements 2, 3 and 4 fully collapsed. The upper side wall element 4 reststhereby upon the peripheral edge 7 of the central side wall element 3,which rests upon the peripheral edge 6 of the lowermost side wallelement 2. The peripheral edges 6 and 7 of the side wall elements 2 and3 thus form a stop for the wall element 3 or 4, each of which istelescopic and guided. In this condition, the container 1 has thesmallest possible container volume.

In the illustration of FIG. 1 b, the central side wall element 3 is inan extended position relative to the lower side wall element 2, whereasthe upper side wall element 4 is in a collapsed position. The containervolume of the container 1 is enlarged in this condition relative to thefully collapsed position in accordance with FIG. 1 a.

In the condition of FIG. 1 c, the upper side wall element 4 is in anextended position, whereas the central side wall element 3 is in acollapsed position. The container volume in this case is smaller than inthat telescope condition which is shown in FIG. 1 b, as a result ofwhich, in this container embodiment, the height of the central side wallelement 3 is for example greater (higher) than that of the upper sidewall element 4.

In the illustration of FIG. 1 d, the central side wall element 3 is inthe fully extended position relative to the lowermost side wall element2 and the upper side wall element 4 is in the fully extended positionrelative to the central side wall element 3. The container 1 has in thiscase the maximum possible container volume, which is available to thegoods to be transported. FIG. 1 e also shows these fully extendedpositions of the side wall elements 3 and 4, in this case with openedcovers 5 a and 5 b.

From FIGS. 1 a to 1 d, it is evident that the container 1 describedpreviously in accordance with these illustrations can make least fourdifferent transport volumes (container volumes) available through simpletelescoping of the side wall elements 3 and 4.

The arrangement of the side wall elements 2, 3 and 4 in accordance withthe illustrations in FIGS. 1 d and 1 e gives rise to an upwardlybroadening and elongating transport space in the fully extended positionthrough which the goods to be transported can be particularlycomfortably inserted and removed, without tilting occurring.

In accordance with the illustrations in FIGS. 1 a to 1 e, two lockingelements or detent bolts 10 in recessed wall areas or between projectingribs are arranged on each of the end faces or walls of the central 3 andupper 4 side wall element. Such an arrangement preferably in recessedwall areas protects these locking elements 10 against impact. Eachtelescopic side wall element is therefore held in position by altogetherfour locking elements, whereby particularly stable locking results. Ofcourse it is also possible to provide a greater or lesser number of suchlocking elements, advantageously, however, under the condition of easyoperability.

As shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, a locking element 10 is formed in theshape of a rod and has at one end of a shaft a handle part or a handlearea, which is designed as a drawbar eye 11. At the opposite end of theshaft, the locking element has a pronounced detent tongue or a lockingelement 12, which is formed in combination with a stop shoulder.Additionally, the locking element 10 has two projecting spring tongues13 roughly in the center of the shaft, which push against acorrespondingly formed contact area on the respective side wall elementand which pre-tension the locking element up 10 in a locking position.As a result of this spring pre-tensioning, such a locking element 10automatically moves backward into a locking position if it is brought bymeans of the drawbar eye 11 into an unlocking position. The lockingelement 10 braces itself against a correspondingly formed wall area ofthe side wall element and is guided and secured in a manner known to aperson skilled in the art in order that tilting, rotating or falling outmay be prevented. Thus, the locking element 10 can, e.g., have a rearmandrel, which is guided in a longitudinal groove.

As illustrated, the handle part, that is, the drawbar eye 11, isergonomically formed such that the drawbar eye's inner surface providedfor applying an actuating force is formed such that it is enlarged inorder that this area may, for example, be optimally gripped with afinger and high forces may be applied, and in order that the danger ofslipping due to larger contact friction may be reduced.

Of the locking elements 10, essentially only the handle parts, i.e., thedrawbar eyes 11, are accessible. The shaft, the detent tongue 12 and thespring elements 13 are essentially arranged and protected against damageand contamination in the inside side wall elements 3 and 4, which aredouble-walled in this area. Through an appropriately formed opening, thedetent tongue 12 of the locking element 10 can engage with acorresponding detent recess 16 in each of the lower side wall elements.Corresponding considerations apply to the remaining locking elements ofthe container.

As shown in the illustration of FIG. 2 b, the detent tongue 12 of thelocking element 10 of the central side wall element 3 engages with adetent recess 16 on the lower side wall element 2 and is held in thisengaged position by the spring flaps 13 due to the pre-tensioning force.The spring flaps 13 brace themselves against the rib extensions. Thesame applies to the detent tongue 12 of the locking element 10 belongingto the upper side wall element 4, which engages with a correspondingdetent recess 16 on the central side wall element 3. In this way, aspecific telescope position of the central side wall element 3 relativeto the lower side wall element 2 and of the upper side wall element 4relative to the central side wall element 3 is firmly locked. The lowerside wall element 2 and the central side wall element 3 each have twodetent recesses 16, an upper one for the extended position and a lowerone for the collapsed position of the guided side wall element 3 or 4.Of course, it is also possible for just one detent recess, in this casethe upper one, to be provided. Also, more than two detent recesses arepossible, such that corresponding intermediate telescope positions canbe locked. The detent recesses 16 are arranged along a sliding surface17, along which the detent tongue 12 of the pre-tensioned lockingelement 10 slides when telescoping and engages into a correspondingrecess 16 automatically due to the pre-tensioning. It is also possibleex works to provide a plurality of detent recesses or engaging holes 16and only to open those which are needed for the specific application,while the others (unneeded) remain locked by means of a suitablemechanism, such that the locking elements 10 slide over the lockedengaging recesses 16 during extending or collapsing. It is equallypossible to equip a locking element 10 with a double tongue 16, whichthen engages with two detent recesses 16, a fact which markedlyincreases the strength of locking. Likewise, it is also possible toimplement the locking mechanism as a clamping mechanism, which leads,for example, according to one principle of self-locking, to locking ofthe telescoped state, with the advantage that each intermediatetelescope position can be locked, independently of an arrangement ofdetent recesses 16.

The arrangement of the locking elements 10 described above is only oneexample, albeit an advantageous one, but can be effected in another way,for example by arranging the locking elements 10 on the lowermost sidewall element 2 and on the uppermost side wall element 4 while thecentral side wall element 3 remains free of locking elements. Thedescribed arrangement in the cavity of a double wall area is also onlyone example.

For changing the telescope position of the side wall elements 3 or 4,i.e. for adjusting or adapting the container volume, the container 1 isplaced, for example, with its container floor on a solid surface.Thereafter, the current locking state must be released, which is usuallydone by simultaneous actuation of the locking elements 10 arranged onthe end walls by engaging thumb and index finger of each hand into thedrawbar eyes 11. Afterwards, the telescope segment or side wall elementconcerned can be raised or lowered. The container volume is thus changedin steps, i.e. only one telescope segment or a side wall element israised or lowered at a time.

To rapidly enlarge the container capacity, it is also possible to holdthe container 1 with both hands and, as just described, to briefly bringthe locking elements 10 into an unlocking position, whereupon each sidewall element arranged below lowers itself downward due to the force ofgravity. The possibility of such rapid and easy enlargement of thecontainer volume can especially be of great advantage in everyday use.For easier actuation of the telescope mechanism, the side wall elements3 and 4 can be pre-tensioned with springs as well, such that, afterlocking has been released, these proceed automatically (in the sense ofby themselves) into an extended position or conversely into a collapsedposition.

FIG. 3 shows an inventive container in a fully extended condition. Thiscontainer has an alternative mechanism for releasing the lockingelements 10, however. Instead of the drawbar eyes 11 described above, arelease belt or a release lever 18 is provided here which is connectedto two detent locks 10 arranged at one end face of the side wall element3 or 4 concerned. FIG. 4 a shows this alternative locking mechanism,wherein the cavities in which the locking elements 10 are essentiallyarranged, are shown broken open for better illustration. As alreadydescribed above in connection with the embodiment with the drawbar eyes11, in each case two detent members at each end face engage by means oftheir detent tongues 12 with corresponding detent recesses 16 andthereby lock each telescopically guided side wall element to theguiding, i.e. lower side wall element.

FIG. 4 b likewise shows in a perspective view a detailed view of thislocking mechanism. At the opposite end of the shaft of a locking element10, approximately in the region of the arrangement of the springelements 13, the shaft is connected to a belt-like extension designed asrelease belt that is V-shaped and in turn is connected to a releaselever or handle part 18. The second detent lock, also, has one suchbelt-like extension at the end opposite tongue 12, said extension beinglikewise V-shaped and also connected to the same release lever 18. Therelease lever 18, like the drawbar eyes 11, is also arranged in arecessed wall section for the purpose of protection. For the purpose ofguidance, for example, the release lever 11 can have a rear mandrel,which is guided in a corresponding groove of the side wall element. In apreferred embodiment, the release lever 18 with the V-shaped connectingor release belts and the locking elements 10 arranged on it is designedas one piece, for example as an injection molded part. The transitionsfrom the locking elements 10 to the release belts and from these releasebelts to the release lever 18 are then designed, for example, as filmhinges.

As is also evident from FIG. 4 b, the V-shaped release belts are guidedaround bolt-like guides 19, with these guides advantageously formed inone piece with the side wall element concerned. Releasing of the lockingelements 10 pre-tensioned by the spring elements 13 in locking positionoccurs via actuation of the release lever 18, by release it upward(relative to the container). This tensile movement is transmitted inequal parts to the V-shaped release belts, which are guided around theguides 19 and pulls, as it were, the locking elements 10 out of theirlocking position. After discharge of the release lever, the springelements 13 effect a resetting force for the locking elements 10, andalso for the release lever 18. The result therefore is that forcetransmission from the release lever 18 to the detent locks 10 can alsotake place in another way, for example as a result of wires or bendablecords or such like. Naturally, such a locking mechanism can also bestructured in such a manner that the release lever 18 must be pressednot upward, but downward, in order that the locking tongues 12 may bereleased. The release lever 18, too, can be designed in all kinds ofways, for example with finger gripping hollows. The release lever 18 canalso be formed as a release belt, for example as a one-piececontinuation of the V-shaped release belts. Likewise, it is possible toconnect such a release lever 18 to more than two locking elements oralso to just one locking element if the design of the container providesfor this.

In relation to the solution with drawbar eyes 11, such a release lever18 has the advantage that it can be actuated with only one finger, whichmakes handling of such a telescopic storage and transport container 1even easier and more comfortable for daily, especially industrial use.

1. Storage and transport container of plastic, comprising a floorsurrounded by a side wall, characterized by the fact that the containerhas telescopical side wall elements which are telescopically incontainer height for changing the height of the container.
 2. Containerin accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that thetelescopical side wall elements are formed so as to be frame-like,preferably as one piece and each forming a preferably closed, peripheralside wall section of defined height.
 3. Container in accordance withclaim 1 characterized by the fact that the container has a lower, anupper and preferably at least one central side wall element, which formthe side walls.
 4. Container in accordance with claim 1 characterized bythe fact that the container has a lower, and and upper side wallelement, which form the side walls.
 5. Container in accordance withclaim 1, characterized by the fact that the side wall elements arenested inside one another in the collapsed position.
 6. Container inaccordance with claim 5, characterized by the fact that the lowermostside wall element is arranged on the inside in the collapsed, nestedposition, and that the upper side wall element is arranged on theoutside.
 7. Container in accordance with claim 5, characterized by thefact that the lowermost side wall element is formed as one piece withthe container floor.
 8. Container in accordance with claim 5,characterized by the fact that at least one side wall element has, inits lower area, an outwardly projecting peripheral edge, which serves inthe collapsed position as a stop for a central or upper side wallelement.
 9. Container in accordance with claim 1, characterized by thefact that the side wall elements have guide surfaces, preferably in theform of recessed or projecting wall sections, and the guided side wallelements have appropriately corresponding wall sections.
 10. Containerin accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that the side wallelements are lockable in defined telescope positions.
 11. Container inaccordance with claim 10, characterized by the fact that for the purposeof locking, at least one pre-tensioned locking element engages withcorresponding detent recesses.
 12. Container in accordance with claim11, characterized by the fact that two locking elements are arranged atthe end faces of the upper and/or a central side wall element. 13.Container in accordance with claim 11 characterized by the fact that thelocking elements have a handle part, which is formed like an eye forengagement of a finger and preferably with an ergonomically enlargedforce-transmission surface.
 14. Container in accordance with claim 13,characterized by the fact that the eye-like handle parts at the endwalls of the side wall elements concerned are arranged relative to eachother such that simultaneous single-handed operation of both lockingelements is facilitated.
 15. Container in accordance with claim 12,characterized by the fact that the two locking elements have a commonactuating means in the form of a release belt, a release lever and thelike.
 16. Container in accordance with any of claim 13 characterized bythe fact that the eye-like handle parts or the common actuating meansare arranged in a recess or in a recessed wall-section area. 17.Container in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that theside wall elements are formed so as to be reinforced in the cornerareas.
 18. Container in accordance with claim 4, characterized by thefact that the upper side wall element has at least one hinged cover.